Most years, the US presidential primary elections - that's the
contests to preselect the candidate for the two major parties - are
all but over after the first early elections. That's because one
candidate develops so much momentum that donors dry up for rivals
and they retire.

The 2008 race threatens to become something else: a race for
delegates.

First things first: what's a delegate?

The primaries are not actually about electing the candidate;
they are about electing delegates, who will represent the candidate
at the major parties' national conventions which are held in the
second half to the year. This is a form of indirect election. It is
actually the delegates at the conventions who choose the
candidate.

How are delegates allocated?

States receive delegates in proportion to their populations,
which means that a big state like California has several hundred
delegates, compared to South Carolina or New Hampshire which has a
handful. Each state decides the method for allocating delegates
(caucus or primary). Within the state there can be all types of
complicating factors- some states like Florida have a
winner-take-all rule; others try to allocate the delegates
according to vote and the spread of the population.

What are pledged delegates and super-delegates?

Some states let the party choose some delegates, while in most
states the governor, the head of the party and the elected
representatives also become super-delegates with a vote at the
convention. Most are already pledged to one candidate or another,
but they are notoriously fickle when it comes to convention
time.

Why is Super Tuesday (February 5) so important?

Twenty-two states will vote, allocating about 45 per cent of the
delegates up for grabs. Most states will allocate in proportion to
the vote.

What happens to the delegates pledged to candidates who can't
win, like John Edwards?

It's possible that Edwards could become a kingmaker at the
convention and perhaps leverage his way into the vice presidency or
a cabinet position. He currently has 58 delegates after the South
Carolina primary. A similar situation could arise among the
republicans.

How many delegates does a person need to win the
nomination?

50 per cent of the total, which is 2,025 in the case of the
Democrats and 1,191 in the case of the Republican nomination.